Top 50 Women Forum chair urges release of vulnerable women prisoners amid coronavirus

Egypt has to consider the appropriate release of elderly and vulnerable women prisoners in a bid to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, said chairperson of Top 50 Women Forum, on Monday.

Dina Abdel Fattah has demanded the release of imprisoned women debtors, women convicts aged above 60 years, and nursing mothers from detention as well as women prisoners with underlying medical conditions to reduce the prison population and prevent harm.

These women are the most vulnerable to the virus, Abdel Fattah noted.

She reiterated her trust in the political leadership in Egypt, believing that President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi would response to her plea given his strong support to the Egyptian women.

“President Sisi has already adopted many humane initiatives during feasts and other various occasions, which in turn contributed to reduce the number of vulnerable women in prisons,” Abdel Fattah said.

She also called legislators to revise the current criminal justice system applied to these vulnerable groups.

“Egyptian women are the strong pillars of our society. And in times of crisis, they are the most effective tool for development and easing the social and economic impact left.”

Both the state and the private sector have to support these vulnerable groups to help them start over and play more effective role in their society, Abdel Fattah said.

Founded in 2015, Top 50 Women Forum is the biggest female technocrat platform in Egypt, aimed at advocating women’s social, political, and economic empowerment.